The seal of the Alabama Executive office (lower left corner of the document) is extremely detailed, showing rivers (and their names), borders, and buildings (possibly courthouses). An enhanced, enlarged version of the seal is included here.

At the start of the Civil War, Hubert Dent was a 1st lieutenant of the Eufaula Rifles, which became Company B of the 1st Alabama Infantry; he was eventually promoted to captain and commanded Dent's Battery (formerly Robertson's Battery).

In the letter Gayle describes the allegations of the white citizens, including the murder of a circuit court clerk in Russell County. The newly appointed agents are to begin their work by meeting with the Indian chiefs: "In your interview with...